Bologna’s Champions League starts with a draw against Shakhtar

First the scare, then the reaction and the missed opportunities due to coldness in front of goal: it could have been all or nothing, but in the end Bologna had to settle for a point on their return to the Champions League after almost 60 years. On the pitch of the Dall’Ara, made heavy by the rain, the rossoblu drew 0-0 with Shakhtar, who Sudakov misses a penalty after a few moments (save by Skorupski), then kept afloat by Riznyk with at least two decisive saves on Castro and Fabbian. Definitely a positive performance for Vincenzo Italiano’s men, who probably ‘on points’ would have deserved a little more: first seasonal victory therefore postponed again for the Emilians, who await the away match on Sunday at Monza.

Ready to go and the rossoblu risk turning the dream of returning to the Europe that counts into a real nightmare: in fact, not even two minutes pass and the Ukrainians have the chance to immediately present themselves from the penalty spot, after a foul in the area by Posch against Eguinaldo. Sudakov kicks from 11 meters, but Skorupski guesses the corner and blocks the ball. The Felsinei save themselves and try to take courage, proposing themselves forward with character but without creating great danger in the opponent’s area. At least until the substantial recovery before the interval, when Castro is served very well in the area by Ndoye but finds the foot parry of Riznyk on his left foot with a sure shot.

Even more sensational is the goal opportunity that falls at the beginning of the second half on Fabbian’s right footalso blocked by a miraculous intervention by the Ukrainian goalkeeper after a pass from Moro on a cross from Posch. Bologna believes and continues to press, becoming dangerous a couple more times with Castro (both attempts on the outside of the net), then as the minutes pass the pace slows and consequently the emotions diminish. The fresh forces from the benches do not make an impact and so at the final whistle the score remains 0-0.